Top

20

Doctor insights on:
Acute Bronchitis

1

Depends...:
If acute bronchitis is due to bacterial infection, then antibiotics are usually prescribed. If there is a viral etiology, treatment is aimed at symptom management while the infection runs its course.
...Read more

An inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi. May be caused by either viral or bacterial infections, and is treated with antibiotics , steroids, inhaled bronchodilators, or mucolytics. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.
...Read more

3

Treatment...:
Drink plenty of fluids, rest as much as possible, avoid smoking. If your acute bronchitis is due to bacteria, finish the antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If there is bronchospasm present, your doctor may prescribe bronchodilator and steroid inhalers. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
...Read more

5

Can vary:
Acute bronchitis usually last from 5-7 days to up to 2 weeks. Depending on the person, symptoms my persist for a couple of weeks up to a month. Some are more sensitive than others to the viral or bacterial insult to the bronchial lining. Asthmatics especially! if not improving in a couple of weeks or worsening or if fever, purulent sputum or other worsening symptoms, get checked out.
...Read more

6

Depends...:
It depends on the level of illness and the intended exercise. If you have a fever or if you have a significant cough and/or shortness of breath, you should hold off on exercising until the infection is resolving. If you have only mild cold symptoms perhaps light exercise might be ok. To be certain of what is right in your case, see your doctor who can advise you on when you can resume exercise.
...Read more

8

Symptoms...:
Acute bronchitis symptoms include fever, chills, cough productive of discolored sputum, headache, body aches, fatigue. A physical exam by a physician would be helpful, however, to determine the presence of bronchospasm since, if present, inhalers would be needed in addition to antibiotics. And, antibiotics are not prescribed if acute bronchitis is due to a viral infection.
...Read more

9

Bronchitis:
If you're young and otherwise healthy chances are the bronchitis is viral. Just use over the counter medications to treat a cough if you have it. If you're starting to have high fevers or chills or if you've had bronchitis for more than 10 days you may need antibiotics.
...Read more

11

May not need any:
Bronchitis is most often caused by viral illnesses and anitbiotics typically do not offer much benefit. Often, bronchitis/coughing gets worse over 1st week and slowly improves, but may linger on for several weeks. As long as not having high fever, colored phlegm etc...Otc such as mucinex-d/dm, delsym, (dextromethorphan) tussin etc..May help. Fluid, rest, and time will often suffice. If worsen, consult doc. Good luck.
...Read more

12

Resolution...:
It typically takes about 7-10 days for acute bronchitis due to a viral infection to resolve and up to 14 days for a bacterial infection to resolve. However, the cough associated with acute bronchitis can take even longer to resolve. The bronchitis can result in bronchospasm which can then cause the cough to continue. If this is the case, your doctor can prescribe inhalers to relieve the cough!
...Read more

14

Bronchitis:
Over the last several years, with bird flu and swine flu, many of us in health care were more vocal about sick patients staying home from work. Bronchitis is an upper respiratory illness and as such, one of your symptoms is cough. Every time you cough, you spread whatever you are sick with, be it a virus or bacteria. In order to reduce the chances of your co-workers getting sick, stay home.
...Read more

17

Yes. Nothing.:
95% of the time, acute bronchitis is a viral infection and is thereby self-limited. Sometimes, however, the inflammation persists after the virus leaves you and would then need treatment with steroids. But regardless, it will not stay with you forever.
...Read more

19

Yes:
Acute bronchitis is currently considered to be caused mostly by viruses, which are quite contagious. It can be transmitted in the air, by coughing, and by contact with the sick person's hands (if the hands have been coughed on or touched the mouth). The most contagious period is usually early in the illness, and shortly before the illness begins to show symptoms.
...Read more

20

Depends...:
It depends on the severity of your symptoms. If you have a severe, productive cough, you probably should stay home until the cough lessens. If you have a fever or shortness of breath, you should stay home and see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If your symptoms are mild and they are improving and there is no fever, it is probably ok to go to school. See your doctor if you are not sure!
...Read more